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Monday, August 20, 2012

Mashed Fauxtatoes (mashed cauliflower!)

Who doesn't love a giant bowl of mashed potatoes?! I'll tell you who- you're tummy! While mashed potatoes make a DELICIOUS side dish to a steak dinner, they are often loaded with butter, starchy carbs, and tons of unnecessary calories. It's not that I ate mashed potatoes incredibly often growing up, but I really enjoyed them when I did have them, so finding a way to recreate a healthy version was a must- and since a low carb diet does not exactly allow potatoes, there had to be another ingredient that would make a yummy mash. If you haven't guessed yet, I use cauliflower!

To make mashed cauliflower you will need:1 large head of cauliflower cut into teeny tiny florets2 wedges of laughing cow cheese at room temperature (any flavor you choose- I use 1 french onion and 1 garlic and herb)2t onion powder2t garlic powderAbout 1/4 cup milk of choice (I use flax milk, though almond milk, skim milk, whole milk, etc. all work)- the amount will depend on how thick/creamy you like your fauxtatoes- if you like them REALLY creamy, you can sub cream, half and half, sour cream, etc., but then they aren't exactly guilt-free (still healthier than real mashed potatoes though obviously!)optional: 1-2T butter or Brummel & Brown or any other butter replacement for a creamier texture- I find they don't need it with the Laughing Cow wedges!For Garnish: chopped chives, dehydrated onion and garlic flakes, freshly cracked pepper, etc. and if you're feelin' frisky, feel free to mix them throughout after the mash is prepared!Speaking of prepared... to make your creamy faux-taters, simply microwave your cauliflower until softened (about 3 minutes). Then, add them to your food processor (the Vitamix does an exceptional job with these suckers!), and puree until smooth. Add your spices and cheese wedges (you might want to break them into pieces, though it's not always necessary), and puree until mixed in followed by as much milk as you see fit. Once you've found the desired consistency, scoop them into a bowl, add your garnish (mix throughout if you'd like), and you're good to go!Pin It